HEALING
FOR
All of You
How to request an appointment
It takes minutes to complete your phone consultation to see if this work is right for you. If so, you can book your in-person evaluation and discuss how the in-home session works. This protocol integrates the essentials of best practices as promoted by leaders in the field, with additional considerations that ensures a holistic approach that addresses both your physical and mental health needs in a safe, supportive environment.
PHONE CONSULTATION
Our process begins with a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation, where we conduct a preliminary screening and take a brief history to determine if our approach aligns with your needs.
INTAKE FORMS
Should we decide to proceed, we will ask that you complete the intake forms, including a comprehensive medical history, informed consent, and practice disclosure documents. We ask that you review and complete these documents thoroughly before our next phone conversation, where we will delve deeper into your history, symptoms, goals, and concerns, ultimately scheduling an in-person evaluation.
IN-PERSON EVALUATION
The in-person evaluation consists of a detailed review of your relevant history, followed by medical, osteopathic, and psychiatric examinations. We will share our findings and collaboratively devise a treatment plan. This plan may include osteopathic manipulation followed by a controlled, low-dose ketamine experience administered intranasally. For patients with previous ketamine experiences, an initial intramuscular session might be considered.
The In-Home Ketamine Experience
HOME PREPARATION
Ahead of your scheduled appointment, prepare a comfortable space in your home for your session. Choose a place you can sit or lay quietly for 60 minutes, like a couch, armchair, or daybed. Collect any supportive items you desire, like blankets, pillows, socks, headphones, and water. Feel free to invite another person to be present with you in the room.
DOCTOR ARRIVES
Dr. Shugar arrives at your home at your scheduled appointment time. After confirming the details of your treatment plan with you, settle yourself in the room you’ve selected. Make yourself comfortable and ask any remaining questions while Dr. Shugar sets up a clean and safe space to administer your treatment.
RECEIVE TREATMENT
If osteopathic treatment is part of your plan, Dr. Shugar will start the session with gentle hands on assessment and treatment, and highlight areas for your own attention while internally focused. With pre-measured doses, the ketamine is administered either intramuscularly or intranasally. You will know which method beforehand. Within minutes, you may feel the early effects of the medicine:
* heaviness * detachment * relaxation * euphoria * emotional release * calm *
MONITOR FOR COMFORT
As the effects of the medicine slowly subside, the doctor will closely monitor you for the duration of your experience to ensure you are safe and comfortable. If you show any signs of emotional or physical distress, Dr. Shugar will medically support you in appropriate and consensual ways as agreed in your initial consultation. You may want a light hand on your shoulder, either from the doctor or from your support person in the room. If you prefer no physical touch, Dr. Shugar will verbally guide you through the experience. If you have chosen to integrate osteopathy with your ketamine treatment, you may be offered gentle musculoskeletal adjustments after the experience to promote novel somatic connections and support your healing.
INTEGRATION + FOLLOW-UP
Before leaving, the doctor will ensure that you are safe to “discharge.” You will have verbal and written instructions for after-care and integration. Then, Dr. Shugar will depart.
Immediately after: You should hydrate, rest and reflect.
Next day: You may feel refreshed and introspective.
In the following days, you may participate in a follow-up psychotherapy session, OMT (osteopathic manipulative treatment), text or phone check-ins, or other supportive services to process your ketamine experience and explore insights gained during the session. A continued treatment plan may include additional sessions to optimize your mental health journey.
Here are the core tenets of my practice model:
In my practice, I provide exceptional healthcare services in the comfort of your own home. My house call service is designed to operate within an interdisciplinary care framework, prioritizing safety, responsibility, and compassion at every step of your journey.
Informed Consent: Before embarking on your healthcare journey with me, I require all patients to review, agree to, and sign an informed consent document. This document outlines my practice philosophy, standard operating procedures, and ensures transparency and mutual understanding between you and me. I want to make sure we are a good fit!
Collaborative Care Approach: Psychedelic medicine can lead to profound psychological and emotional experiences. That's why I emphasize following up with a therapist before, potentially during, and after your sessions. While you'll receive support and guidance aligned with the ketamine assisted psychotherapy model, formal psychotherapy for subsequent processing and integration is crucial. I encourage you to follow up with integration sessions, preferably led by therapists experienced in psychedelic therapy protocols. The evidence shows this improves outcomes.
Comprehensive Evaluation: To prioritize your safety and well-being, I conduct thorough medical and psychiatric evaluations, including a review of your medications, before determining your eligibility for treatment. While I perform a thorough medical examination, there are some circumstances where I may have you consult with your primary care doctor or specialist(s) before your initial appointment. Please note that I do not prescribe ketamine for unsupervised home use.
Personalized Care: I understand that everyone’s healthcare needs are unique and require personalized attention. I am committed to providing a tailored approach to address your specific challenges and goals. To ensure I can offer you the most suitable care plan, I invite you to schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. During this consultation, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your history, goals, and expectations directly with me and determine a pricing structure that aligns with your preferences. Please be aware that the complexity of individual circumstances may vary, making it challenging to predict the exact duration and frequency of care. However, rest assured that I will work closely with you to develop a comprehensive plan that meets your needs and maximizes outcomes.
I'm here to support you on your healthcare journey every step of the way. If you have any questions or would like to schedule your consultation, please don't hesitate to contact me. I look forward to speaking with you!